TAN 15 - Development and Flood Risk - 2004

This TAN describes the Environment Agency’s (EA) role in exercising a general supervision of flood defence matters. Local authorities are expected to use their powers to guide development away from areas that may be affected by flooding, and to restrict development that would itself increase the risk of flooding or would interfere in the ability of the EA or other bodies to carry out flood control works or maintenance.

Flood risk considerations should always be taken into account by local planning authorities in preparing development plans and in determining planning applications. The EA is a statutory consultee in the preparation of development plans and will provide comments on individual planning applications.

Guidance is given on flooding as a material consideration in development control decisions, runoff and increasing the risk of flooding on or off site, coastal protection works and flood defence works.

View 'Technical Advice Note 15: Development and Flood Risk - 2004' here (PDF 343kb).